USC suspends fraternity after reports of 'possible drug-facilitated sexual assaults'

[ASTalumna06]

https://abcnews.go.com/US/usc-suspen...ry?id=80718394

The University of Southern California in Los Angeles has suspended a fraternity following reports of an alleged sexual assault and "possible drug-facilitated sexual assaults" at its house, school officials said.

"The university has received a report of sexual assault at the Sigma Nu fraternity house," the school said in an alert posted on its Department of Public Safety website Wednesday. "The university also has received reports of drugs being placed into drinks during a party at the same fraternity house, leading to possible drug-facilitated sexual assaults."
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An LAPD spokesperson told ABC News Thursday the department is aware of four alleged victims, none of whom have reached out to police yet. The LAPD opened an investigation on Thursday, the department said.
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The Sigma Nu fraternity has been placed on interim suspension and is barred from hosting parties, social gatherings or any other activities at its house, the school said.

[DaffyKD]

Once again, there are protests to shut down Greek Life. The acts of a few impact the whole.https://news.yahoo.com/usc-students-...ycsrp_catchall

DaffyKD

[Kevin]

The police department has identified the chapter President (E.C.) as a suspect. The school states that it has placed one student on interim suspension.

What is unknown of course is what internal measures has Sigma Nu taken? I am just speculating, but I imagine the school and police could not have so quickly identified a suspect without the fraternity's cooperation and it's not like we should be congratulating them for cooperating, that's what should be expected.

It's very problematic that the chapter president is a suspect here in the sense of being able to claim that this was the action of an individual and not the chapter as the President's (I'm using that title generically, because that's not his title) actions reflect on the chapter as a whole.

[ASTalumna06]

USC admits to ‘troubling delay’ in warning about fraternity drugging, sex assault reports

https://www.latimes.com/california/s...ssault-charges

USC acknowledged Friday a “troubling delay” in warning the campus community about allegations of drugging and sexual assault by a fraternity last month as a rare faculty protest added to mounting criticism about the university’s handling of the crisis.

In a message to the campus community Friday night, USC President Carol Folt said that a university confidential reporting program received five to seven disclosures of possible drugging and possible sexual assault at a fraternity in late September. The information, however, was not shared with the campus community until Oct. 20, when the Department of Public Safety posted an alert that the university had received a report of sexual assault and reports of drugs being placed into drinks at the Sigma Nu fraternity house, “leading to possible drug-facilitated sexual assaults.”

Six students reported that the alleged drugging and assault took place at Sigma Nu on Sept. 24 and one student reported she was drugged Sept. 27 at an unknown location, according to the department’s daily crime log posted Oct. 21. The university subsequently announced it had suspended the fraternity.
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USC said the confidential campus reporting service, without revealing student identities, shared a general summary of their allegations about Sigma Nu with university safety, health, student affairs and crisis intervention officials on Sept. 30.

“We are still investigating what occurred next, but there was clearly uncertainty regarding how to assess and process the information, and it was not immediately escalated” to other authorities, the university said in FAQs posted Friday night. The groups shared the information with the Title IX office and scheduled a meeting Oct. 18 to discuss the situation.

But during this time span another USC student reported she was sexually assaulted at the fraternity on Oct. 16.
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Criticism over USC’s handling of the crisis continued to swell Friday, after the allegations sparked protests by a wide swath of campus groups. In a demonstration organized by faculty in the Gender Studies Department and members of Concerned Faculty of USC, protesters congregated Friday in front of the Bovard Administration Building across from Alumni Park where homecoming weekend check-in had begun. Dozens of faculty and staff were joined by students, calling on the administration to make changes in the wake of the allegations against Sigma Nu.

For some faculty, the allegations were the latest cause for concern and frustration with an administration they believe has been complacent in allowing for bad behavior.

[Kevin]

Some USC students are demanding that the University "dissolve" Sigma Nu.

https://www.uscannenbergmedia.com/20...ency-from-usc/

USC is a private university, but it is my understanding that the University can only decertify Sigma Nu, but they'd continue to exist--just with zero school supervision or control. I know of other Sigma Nu chapters where the organization didn't agree with the University's decision to decertify and left their charters in tact.

I have no information, but I would hope that if the University does cave in to the demands of the mob that Sigma Nu won't follow suit.

[Low D Flat]

USC has the power to end this chapter of Sigma Nu by expelling any student who joins. But that's about as likely as a meteor wiping out the campus.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by Low D Flat

USC has the power to end this chapter of Sigma Nu by expelling any student who joins. But that's about as likely as a meteor wiping out the campus.

Yeah. Unlikely. The school's President has already gone on record doubting they'll do anything to disaffiliate Sigma Nu. Sigma Nu may do something, but you can't burn down the Greek system after every single one of these incidents. Assaults happen in the dorms, in the athletic dorms, everywhere. If folks think ending Greek Life is tantamount to ending rape culture, they're delusional.